‘Little Shop of Horrors’ ends Playhouse season; more shows this week

One of the Oak Ridge Playhouse’s most anticipated musicals opens this weekend, finishing off the Playhouse’s 2012-2013 season. An off-Broadway hit in 1982, “Little Shop of Horrors” and its bloodthirsty plant successfully took over New York and branched out all over the world to garner numerous awards and develop and almost cult following.

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By Judy DiGregorio/Special to The Oak Ridger

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By Judy DiGregorio/Special to The Oak Ridger

Posted Apr. 21, 2013 at 3:41 PM
Updated Apr 21, 2013 at 3:44 PM

By Judy DiGregorio/Special to The Oak Ridger

Posted Apr. 21, 2013 at 3:41 PM
Updated Apr 21, 2013 at 3:44 PM

OAK RIDGE

One of the Oak Ridge Playhouse’s most anticipated musicals opens this weekend, finishing off the Playhouse’s 2012-2013 season. An off-Broadway hit in 1982, “Little Shop of Horrors” and its bloodthirsty plant successfully took over New York and branched out all over the world to garner numerous awards and develop and almost cult following.

A take-off on sci-fi and horror flicks of the ’50s, the show's inherent charm is hard to resist. Evoking the Faustian legend of selling one’s soul in exchange for worldly pleasures, “Little Shop,” follows a shy, awkward young man named Seymour, who works at a run-down florist shop on skid row.

When Seymour happens upon a strange and exotic fly-trap like plant, he lovingly names it in honor of Audrey, his dizzy, sweet co-worker. After nurturing the sickly “Audrey II” into a horticultural phenomenon, Seymour finds success and national attention.

But sudden success comes at a price. It seems the plant has a taste for blood — human blood. And somehow, Seymour must keep it fed. As long as he does, the plant promises he will have it all: money, fame, and the girl of his dreams.

“It’s such a fun an interesting show,” said Managing Artistic Director Reggie Law, “On the surface, it’s this sweet little small-cast musical. But, much like the plant, underneath lurks a beast of a show.”

Presented by Hardin Valley Orthodontics, the musical opens at 8 tonight (Friday), followed by a performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 20. Performances continue Thursday, April 25, at 8 p.m., Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, at 8 p.m., with a matinee Sunday, April 28, at 2 p.m. Final performances are Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m.

For more information, log on to www.orplayhouse.com or call (865) 482-9999. Tickets range in price from $16 to $22 depending on performance date.